One Dream Down

On Tuesdays we are thrilled to fling open the doors to all of YOU! We love hearing your dreaming stories…the lessons you’ve learned, the roads you’ve walked, the dreams He’s planted in your hearts! Today we are thrilled to welcome Tiffany Parry, who shares the important reminder that no matter where we are in our dreaming journey, we never walk alone.

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I’m a follower of Jesus. A recovering perfectionist. A dreamer leaning into grace.

I believe that all things are possible with God, but I’ve been caught worrying over the possibilities He has planned for me. Fear of the unknown makes me long for a crystal ball I’ll never own. So, I consciously choose to daily travel a path of trust, fixing my eyes on the Author of dreams.

My journey began when God spoke a word into my life: more.

In restlessness, I prayed a prayer of abandon, “Lord, bring me more and whatever it is, I’ll do it.” I’m grateful He didn’t ask me to pack up the family and move to Outer Mongolia.

God didn’t waste any time. Within twenty-four hours of surrendering my heart, He put words to my dreams and set them in motion—He gave me a vision.

In those early moments, I took enthusiastic steps of faith. God’s calling was fresh and unique. Stretched out of my comfort zone, with His vision in tow, I spoke up. The girl whose motto was, put your head down and do the work, lifted her eyes and said, “Here I am, use me.”

Little did I know, I was about to board a roller coaster with the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. My desire to do more stirred up an enemy who daily tried to convince me that I was selfish to even acknowledge my gifts—who did I think I was?

Traveling a path wrought with uncertainty, I resolved in my heart that God had called, He would equip, and I would be obedient. I held fast to Him though my heart and flesh failed.

My journey continued as I sat in a room surrounded by the powers that be. I laid out the vision, poured out my heart, and invested myself in the ministry.

And all the while, God whispered, “Get ready to let go.”

But the dream was becoming a reality. Given unlimited resources and unconditional support, I stood before the upper echelon and rallied the troops. I was surrounded by “the excited”, “the on board”, and “the willing to travel beside me.”

Once again, God nudged, “Are you ready to let go?”

But I pressed on, pleading with God to let this be. I was shaking things up, questioning the culture, and asking for just one shot to prove my dream was worth the risk. Ignoring the still small doubts, I convinced myself that the warning signs were nothing more than hurdles to overcome for God’s glory. They kept coming, and I kept jumping.

One phone call ended it all. Over coffee at Starbucks, the dream died.

This journey was over. Status quo won this round. A new ship was sailing and I was not invited on board. My dream began with a surrendered heart and ended with a broken one. Church hurt is the worst hurt.

God sighed His final, “Let go.”

What started as a dream turned into an offering. It was God’s from the start and it was time for me to let it go. (<====Tweet this.) I wished it well and walked away.

In the aftermath, bitterness threatened to take root in my wounded heart, but God was greater. My bravery took a beating, but there was beauty in the ashes—courage, hope, and the fruit of lessons learned.

God spoke, “Keep dreaming.”

A new journey began. God brought peace and rest as He pointed to new beginnings—more God-sized dreams. He reminded me that every path I travel, He has gone before, paving the way. He doubles back to stand by my side. I never walk alone.

He sees, He knows, He is for me. God asked me to let go of a dream, but He promised to never let go of this dreamer. I daily lean into grace and bravely dream, watching in faith, as He chooses which ones take flight.

Dream with Him. His dreams are always greater than those we dream alone.(<====Tweet this.)

Tiffany Parry is exceedingly grateful to be loved by a God who knows her flaws and yet, prizes her as precious and chosen. She is a wife and mom of one, who daily leans into grace on her mission to break free from her perfectionist chains. A lover of words, Tiffany purposes to use hers to speak truth and remind others that while life is messy, God is greater. Her dreams include beachfront property, calm seas, and an endless supply of chocolate chip cookies and sweet tea. You can follow her perfectly imperfect journey through the mountains and valleys of faith at her blog, Simply for One.

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Do you have a God-sized Dream story to tell? We’d love to have you share your journey with us!
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Thank you for sharing your dream with me. I will never regret walking the path with you and fighting for the dream. Watching the tide turn was my greatest sorrow, but I believe God used even that to move you to a place of greater purpose with bigger dreams . . . God-sized dreams! Keep writing and dreaming, my friend.

It is a rocky path, Rebekah. It sometimes seems to stretch out before us, but God is faithful to bind those wounds when we lean into grace and fix our eyes on Him. Praying for you and asking that He reveal Himself in unique ways as you travel your journey – He is at your side. Hugs to you!

Abby! Thank you fellow dreamer (go see Abby’s guest post from last Tuesday, all!). It’s a special joy to be traveling in these circles with like-minded sisters in the Lord and your words of encouragement bless me. I hope some day our paths can cross someplace other than cyberspace. 🙂 Hugs!!

Beautiful and painful…Just as life is sometimes. The good news is even when our dreams are dashed, God keeps nudging us with new vision. He never gives up. Keep going brave girl. Can’t wait to see where this dream carries you!